Land use, buildings, and materials
A national leader in controlling sprawl and planning for the future effects of global warming, King County has prepared comprehensive land use plans (required under the state Growth Management Act) that anticipate the pressures of our region's projected long-term growth. King County and its cities coordinate planning within an established urban growth area - a "wall against sprawl" - while providing roads, parks and other services. This comprehensive approach to planning helps foster walkable communities while protecting rural areas from development. This helps reduce pollution that is at the root of the global warming phenomenon.
Transfer of development rights
Healthscape: putting it all to together
King County commissioned a report -- "Land Use, Transportation, Air Quality and Health" -- on the effect of development on walkability, traffic congestion, air quality and individual health needs of our citizens. The study has since told us that walkable communities with robust public transit have better air quality and emit less greenhouse gases. Now forming the basis of King County's HealthScape program, this comprehensive approach helps build healthier "walkable" communities, reduce congestion, and clean the air, all of which improve the county's effectiveness in dealing with global warming.
Executive Order on the Evaluation of Climate Change Impacts through the State Environmental Policy Act
King County is the first local government in the country to add greenhouse gas emissions reporting officially to the environmental review of construction projects. Learn more at the King County DDES website on climate change.